History of Wychavon
Wychavon was formed out of the Local Government Act 1972.
The council, and the district, was created out of five existing councils:
- Evesham Borough Council
- Evesham Rural District Council
- Droitwich Borough Council
- Droitwich Rural District Council
- Pershore Rural District Council
Originally called District No.9, the name Wychavon was chosen to reflect all parts of the district with Wych being the Anglo-Saxon name for Droitwich Spa and the Avon being the main river that runs through the district.
A shadow council was elected and met in Pershore for the first time in summer 1973, with Wychavon's first constitution being approved at The Raven Hotel in Droitwich Spa.
On 31 March 1974, Wychavon's founding councillors and officers visited Pershore Abbey where they pledged themselves to service. At midnight on 1 April, 1974 Wychavon - both the council and the place - came into being.
Download the pdf Wychavon 50 years of making a difference booklet (5.36 MB) to learn more about our story.
Chairman's Civic Service - celebrating 50 years of making a difference
On Sunday 21 April, 2024 dignatries, including the Lord Lieutentant of Worcestershire, joined current and former councillors and staff to celebrate Wychavon's 50th anniversary.
Read more about the Chairman's Civic Service celebrating 50 years of Wychavon.
![A woman shaking hands with a man](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FCivic+Service+2+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=8e202d6c)
Meeting the Lord Lieutenant
Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Beatrice Grant, meets Cllr Robert Raphael
![Man stood at a lectern in a church speaking](/templates/yootheme/cache/3c/Civic%20Service%203%20web-3cd45eda.jpeg)
Giving thanks
Cllr Raphael gives his address to those gathered in Pershore Abbey.
![A group of people stood in a V shape in front of Pershore Abbey](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FCivic+Service+5+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=ab761a69)
Happy birthday
Those present who gathered to celebrate 50 years of Wychavon.
Chairman's 50th Anniversary Tour
Our Chairman for 2023/24 Cllr Robert Raphael spent ten months completing an ambitious challenge to visit every part of the district to mark Wychavon's 50th anniversary.
The tour began in July 2023 at Wick Care Farm with the final visit taking place at Millennium Wood in Stoulton in April 2024.
During the Chairman’s 50th Anniversary Tour, Cllr Raphael visited 77 parishes, highlighting the work of local organisations, meeting with volunteers, catching up on projects Wychavon has funded over the years and checking out some of the district’s natural and historic sites.
Below is a selection of the visits Cllr Raphael has completed. You can hover over the picture for more information and on some articles click to read more about the visit and see more pictures.
![Cllr Raphael and Isobel Meikle from Wick Care Farm holding a sheet between them](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FCllr+Robert+Raphael_isobel+meikle_sheep+2023+1.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=38a67f8f)
Wick Care Farm
![A group of people standing in front of a park around a zip wire](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FHannah+Robson_Jodi+Cotton_Robert+Raphael_Megan+Robson_Richard_Judith+Ciotti.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=4e9adc08)
Pebworth Play Area
![Lisa Broomhead and Cllr Robert Raphael standing behind a counter of chocolate](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FLisa+Broomhead_Cllr+Raphael.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=f2572e72)
Jinney Ring Craft Centre
![Cllr Robert Raphael turning a switch on a transmitter with Nathan McComish standing behind him.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FRobert+Raphael+and+Nathan+McComish+2+1.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=ecbe6040)
Droitwich Transmitter Station
![Cllr Raphael wearing a flat cap hat writing on a chalk slate board behind and old school desk.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FHartlebury+Castle+4.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=8f1ff604)
Hartlebury Castle and Museum
Following a £5 million revamp, this is now one of the district's most fascinating visitor attractions.
![Cllr Rick Deller and Cllr Robert Raphael in a canoe](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FCllr+Deller+and+Cllr+Raphael+Canoe+11.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=3d489534)
Aztec Adventure Upton Warren
The Chairman tested out his head for heights and water skills at this amazing visitor destination.
![Three men stood in front of a testing machine.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FBev+Smith_Bruno+Sadowski_Cllr+Robert+Raphael.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=6e5137ef)
ZwickRoell
How much pressure does it take to remove a yoghurt lid? Well the staff at this Worcester 6 based company can help you find the answer.
![A man holding a dog with a woman standing next to him.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FDogs+Trust+Evesham+3.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=ed18593a)
Evesham Dogs Trust
This Wickhamford based charity has already rehomed more than 470 dogs this year but more help is needed.
![Cllr Thomas and Cllr Raphael sat in a glider](/templates/yootheme/cache/8d/Gliding%201_for%20web-8dc5e30d.jpeg)
Bidford Gliding Club
A visit to the parish of Bickmarsh saw the Chairman take to the skies.
![Cllr Raphael stood behind a bar holding a pint with another man next to him](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FElmley+Castle_for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=4298780f)
The Queen Elizabeth Inn
This venue in Elmley Castle is run by volunteers from the community. It's a pub, tea room, restaurant and village shop.
![A police officer and Cllr Raphael stood in front of a police car](/templates/yootheme/cache/7c/West%20Mercia%20Police%201_for%20web-7c5f419e.jpeg)
West Mercia Police HQ
A visit to the home of West Mercia Police at Hindlip Hall saw the Chairman 'arrested'.
![Two men stood in front of a wall](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FImages%2FAbout+Your+Council%2FChairmans+50th+anniversary+visits%2FStrensham.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=cd3ee459)
Strensham Services (Southbound)
We have all used them but what goes in to running a busy motorway service station? The Chairman visited Strensham to find out.
![A woman stands in front of the hatch while Cllr Raphael and another man serve tea and cake](/templates/yootheme/cache/42/Stock%20and%20Bradley_for%20web-424ad131.jpeg)
St John the Baptist, Stock and Bradley
The Chairman visited Stock and Bradley to find out how a £15,000 grant from us had helped transform a community meeting space.
![Cllr Robert Raphael leans on a gate with a house in the background where a man can be seen sticking his head out, while water pools around the house.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FFlood+tec+end+shot_web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=ca6eff48)
M3 Floodtec Hampton Lovett
![Two people stood in front of a young tree with a spade.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FNaunton+orcahrd+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=db73dbc9)
Naunton Beauchamp Orchard
We planted a special tree to mark our 50th anniversary in an amazing orchard being restored by The Vale Lanscape Trust.
![A woman stood in front of a van with a man leaning out of the window](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FBeckford+wildlife+trust+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=4008bceb)
Vale Wildlife Trust, Beckford
An amazing charity helping care for injured wild animals.
![A group of people sat around a tree](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FCookhill+parish_web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=53ea1cc4)
Platinum Meadows, Cookhill
An amazing project run by the parish council to protect and enhance a local green space, created in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
![A group of people holding tennis rackets in front of a tennis net.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FCutnall+tennis+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=7bf6f522)
Walking Tennis, Cutnall Green
The Chairman discovered a new way to get into Tennis - Walking Tennis - thanks to Cutnall Green Tennis Club.
![Two people holding disc golf frisbees](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FHadzor+disc+golf+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=3beca011)
Disc golf, Hadzor
Gaudet Luce Golf Club was the venue for a head-to-head on the disc golf course between Cllrs Rowley and Raphael.
![A group of people sat on a bench](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FBadsey+Community+orchard+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=5e7f9334)
Pear Tree Fields, Badsey
We returned to this fantastic community orchard, allotment and burial ground project Wychavon helped fund, to find out how it was getting on and plans for the future.
![Cllr Robert Raphael stood in front of a church.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FElmley+Lovett+Church+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=a3aa82e3)
St Michael's Church, Elmley Lovett
This beautiful church is Grade II listed and steeped in history, including being surrounded by the site of a medieval settlement dating back to the 9th century.
![Three people sat on a rope swing in a park.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FNorton+and+Lenchwick+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=3f2b39fb)
Play area, Norton and Lenchwick
Wychavon helped fund this amazing play area in Norton and Lenchwick, so we went along to try it out.
![](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FOmbersley+Memorial+Hall.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=823523ba)
Ombersley Memorial Hall, Ombsersley
We joined the community to share a special afternoon tea to celebrate 100 years of Ombersley Memorial Hall.
![Two men stood in a field holding a plant.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FOverbury+for+the+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=fc79a108)
Overbury Estate, Overbury
The Chairman got a fascinating insight into how farming can help fight climate change and came face-to-face with a former winner of the Epsom Derby.
![A group of people stood in front of a lake](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FHill+and+Moor+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=ddd62ac5)
Hill and Moor HRC, Hill and Moor
A visit to the Household Recycling Centre revealed exactly how much goes in to disposing of our waste and recycling.
![Four people stood on an iron lattice bridge with trees in the background.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2FSpetchley+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=ee98c2dd)
Spetchley Park Gardens, Spetchley
The Chairman was given a special tour of this popular visitor destination and an insight into their plans for the future.
![A woman and a man standing side by side holding air pistols pointing at the camera.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FShooting+for+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=70a2846e)
Pistol shooting, Broughton Hackett
The Chairman and Cllr Linda Robinson tried out pistol and rifle shooting at March Hare Leisure.
![Three men stood on a path in front of a field](/templates/yootheme/cache/8c/Eckington%20Fields%202%20Web-8c1f659d.jpeg)
Eckington Community Fields, Eckington
![A man and woman stood either side of a scarecrow.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FFernhill+Heath+scarcrows+WEB.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=ac2e86e2)
Scarecrow Trail, Fernhill Heath
We got to judge this year's entries and meet Cllr Chaircrow.
![Two man holding either side of a newspaper.](/templates/yootheme/cache/37/Archers%20inkberrow%202%20WEB-37d8c710.jpeg)
The Old Bull, Inkberrow
Celebrating our link to the BBC's The Archers with Eddie Grundy (Trevor Harrison).
![A man stood in front of a lake and some grass fields.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FKemerton+2+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=84b129ea)
Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve, Kemerton
A beautiful part of the district that is supporting Wychavon's biodiversity.
![](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FAmphitheatre+1+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=87b22bb6)
![Four men stood either side of a pink van with a man inside leaning out the window.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FMorris+Comm+outside+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=d4389246)
Morris Commercial, Hinton-on-the-Green
We found out about plans to create an electric version of a classic British vehicle.
![A group of people stood around an outdoor exercise bike.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FGET+FIT+LITTLETONS+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=b224612d)
Outdoor gym, North and Middle Littleton
We helped fund outdoor exercise equipment so the local parish council could support their residents to be active.
![A group of people in front of a SmartWater sign.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FSmartwater+Peopleton+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=08e19bd3)
![Three people holding asparagus](/templates/yootheme/cache/cd/Revills%203%20web-cdae5c25.jpeg)
Revills Farm Shop, Defford
Our Chairman helped cut some great British asparagus from a local field, while his consort Diana demonstrated the traditional method of asparagus tying.
![A group of young people planting new trees.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2Ftree+planting+Upton+Snodsbury.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=e25d2123)
Tree planting, Upton Snodsbury
We joined children from Upton Snodsbury First School to help plant trees in a local field as part of a Worcestershire County Council scheme.
![A group of people stood in front of a wood](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FStoulton+woodland+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=cb8e39a7)
Millennium Wood, Stoulton
We visited the wood we planted in 2001 to mark the millennium.
![Five people stood against a wall doing a dance pose.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FIMG_0409.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=bac77eea)
Dance class, Drakes Broughton
The Chairman got down to the Latin beat after joining Wychavon Dance for the morning at Drakes Broughton Village Hall.
![Group of people stood in front of some theatre chairs.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FNumber+8+Wychavon+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=575233d9)
Number 8, Pershore
We went behind the scenes at Number 8 which we supported the creation of and celebrates its own 20th anniversary later this year.
![Two men stood in front of a sign.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FChurchfields+Salwarpe.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=d8a7925b)
Churchfields, Salwarpe
Catching up with the amazing Churchfields - sellers of Droitwich Salt - and their plans for the future.
![A man feeding an alpaca](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FSimply+Alpaca+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=e3c463f1)
![A group of people stood in front of a red ribbon ready to cut it](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FYou+Turn+-+original+web+2.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=db17ccf9)
You Turn, Evesham
We helped open the new home of You Turn, Evesham which we transformed from a derelict building.
![A group of people stood in a line.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FWyre+Piddle+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=02d02e08)
Avon Navigation Trust, Wyre Piddle
We caught up with the Avon Navigation Trust to find out about their current challenges and opportunities.
![Two men holding bowls balls.](/component/ajax/?p=image&src=%7B%22file%22%3A%22files%2FNews+images%2F50th+tour+pictures%2FJack+Pullin+1+web.jpg%22%2C%22thumbnail%22%3A%22%2C%2C%22%7D&hash=6dde0dd4)
Jack Pullin, Bredon
The Chairman took on England international and bowls star Jack Pullin (he lost!).